Does everyone wait till last minute to do their Christmas food shop?

[Diedre44]

Over the years I've gone to do my food shop at different times and days before and on a few occasions I've turned the car around and went back home as cars were queuing for miles (not literally but sure you know what I mean) like 30 plus cars waiting to get into car park. I've tried going at ridiculous times like 3am, 5am and even attempted a 2pm trip one year and each and every time has been ram packed everywhere. The only one year was semi stress free we went and stood in a queue from about 8.45am Christmas eve in 2017 waiting for shop to open at 9.30 we done a scan and shop and were home by 10.45 was bliss.
I really don't like doing an online shop at all, I never seem to get any decent dates on fresh items.
Just interested when does everyone else do their "BIG" shop if like me don't do online?

Last year I did mine in Tesco at 7am on Xmas Eve. It was wonderful, the shelves were full and it only started to get busy as I was leaving.

Do it online. Get delivered about 3 days b4

Pretty much same. Not sure what special clothes are needed for school. DC have worn Xmas jumpers 3 times in the last week. DS had one from last year, I got DD one in Sainsbury's when I was there anyway. Nativity costumes were 5 mins on Amazon.

I don't get involved with food, that's DH's area but he's doing a shop on Thursday and has ordered a turkey separately. Doesn't seem a stress.

Guest bedding has been changed a few times this month with various guests. Might have another guest Xmas day so it is now ready for him if he comes.

I will get fresh fruit and veg (and anything I've forgotten!) on Xmas Eve but am lucky enough to be able to walk to the shops. Like pps, I prefer to choose my own, especially when substituting for something unavailable. Everything else is all ready to go.

Years ago when married I would hit Tesco on 22nd at 7am, turkey bought before, as were Iceland buffet tea bits.
lover the years it’s varied, this year staying with friend, mine turn to pay, got turkey crown, stuffing , pigs in blankets, few veg and mince pies to get, he’ll have a few tea bits in sorted

Xmas eve, 6am.... we will do it all in one hit before I go to work!

Heading out to Sainsbury at about 6am today, then Tesco prob similar time tomorrow.
Last minute bits (veg/bread) on Thurs or maybe Fri from Morrisons using a basket and DIY checkout.

My parents got locked inside Tesco once - the queues were so long they only allowed so many shoppers in at once.

I do mine in stages.

I buy all the presents during November on my credit card, DH saves in a Christmas club at work which pays out end of November and clears the bill.

non perishables bought slowly weeks in advance, crisps, chocolate, biscuits, alcohol etc. and stored in the infamous Christmas cupboard with instructions not to be touched 😉

Turkey ordered from M&S in advance.

Fillet of beef bought three weeks ago, now in freezer. As are chipolatas and bacon for the pigs.

I bought the cheese, Maris Pipers and cream yesterday. All have dates to after Christmas, the cheese is January.

Will collect the Turkey and buy the rest of the veg on Thursday evening.

I've got half day annual leave on Wednesday to take DS to a hospital appointment so will do the main shop then. I've already bought loads of nibbles and booze so just fresh stuff. Will do a quick dash out on Christmas eve for anything missed as well as the usual milk, bread and fruit.

I'm getting an online delivery on Thursday, but I'll be popping to the shops for a few key things that I wouldn't want to risk not turning up in the delivery (eg the turkey). I'll probably go first thing in the morning before work one day this week.

What's your AIBU?

I’ve been picking things up for the past few weeks (I have a list of basics that I use year on year)
I’m going today, to pick up most of the remaining stuff and I’ll just get veg/salad/bread/milk from the village Tesco Express on Friday or Saturday
MIL is getting the turkey

We’ll go to M&S on Christmas Eve in the morning. It’s only 7 this year, when it’s more I’d probably go earlier. It’s just 2 of us at home. And non one is that fussed.

I’ve got a friend who leaves it till 10 minutes before the shop shuts, great bargains…

Main shop and chrymassy bits all done. Just have to buy more veg and milk during the week.. I have no idea why people leave things like pigs in blankets, quality street, other Christmas chocs, crackers, cake etc untill last minute and expect there to be some left

Two online deliveries this week, one on Tuesday for freezer stuff and one Christmas Eve early morning so I can go get anything missing. Butchers and fishmongers ordered to collect Christmas Eve morning.

We happily live in north Cyprus, which is a Muslim country, so the shops are all open on Christmas Day. Will be getting all the fruit and veg on Christmas Eve though, and the turkey and other meats from the butcher the same day, so I don’t have to leave the house on Christmas Day itself and can drink champagne all day.

I hate online food shopping, just no pleasure or fun in it at all.

I go to my supermarket everyday so gradually buy things from October onwards for Christmas. Starts with the Christmas cake ingredients and builds from there.

I do a mixture of fresh and frozen veg and go early 23rd/24th to avoid the rush.

But I don't work and my husband has 2 weeks off each year so quite easy for us.

Online shop coming on 22nd, will nip on 23rd for whatever I've forgotten or doesn't come. I've always had bits to pick up on 23rd/24th and although the queues for the tills can be busy it's fine in store and I've always got what I wanted.

I tend to buy some extra things such as nice biscuits, fruit presses, crackers, chutneys etc in the run up to Christmas, order the turkey and then 2-3 days before Christmas will buy the veg and the fresh things.
We don't have a big Christmas shop.

I've been gradually adding things to our Christmas cupboard for the last 6 weeks, so there isn't really a 'big' shop. Veg box and our meat will be delivered on Thursday, plus I'm picking up some nice cheese locally that day. Will probably brave ALDI for milk and a few fresh bits at the same time.

Seven of us for Christmas dinner this year.

Our chicken and veg are being delivered tomorrow. Anything that can be frozen we buy in the weeks leading up. DH will go first thing on 23rd to get fresh custard and pork pie and anything else he thinks of.

DB works long hours and they have 3 young DC, so he did their shop on Saturday.

I did mine yesterday for everything except perishables.

I once went to Asda at 3am on the morning of Christmas Eve. Not to.shop, but because I was desperate for the loo and it was the only place open.

It was deserted. A few staff hanging around, and one other customer. I made a mental note to come at the same time next year if I couldn't get an online slot.

DD and I have a tradition to go about 2-3 days before Christmas Eve and we go at about 10pm. We’ve been doing it since she was about 13, she’s 24 now. We’re going on Thursday.

I will go to the local shops on Christmas Eve for the veg and possibly cream/seafood.

DH does the booze shop separately and will be doing that tonight.

We dont have a car, so I order all the heavy bits/non-perishables/long dated food in an online shop (coming tomorrow). I order my meat and seafood online from specialist suppliers (also coming tomorrow). We've also been slowly buying treats special for Christmas over the last 6 weeks.

23/24th will be the last shop for any missing items and the fresh fruit and veg - I dont trust the freshness of an online shopping and like to make my own subs. But we live walking distance to an M&S and Sainsburys, so its not too bad - DH comes with me and stands at the end of the veg aisle with the scanner and bags while I nip in and around the hordes with my list. If you have a game plan and are focused, its really rather quick.

I may try that last minute 4pm M&S shuffle on Christmas Eve though for a bit of sport!